| A | B |
| amplitutde | Greatest distance from rest to crest of a wave. |
| crest | High point of a wave. |
| electromagnetic wave | Wave that consists of electric and magnetic fields and does not require a medium to exist. |
| frequency | Number of waves that pass a certain point in a given amount of time. |
| longitudinal | Wave in which the motion of the medium is parallel to the direction of the wave. |
| medium | Material through which a mechanical wave travels. |
| transverse | Wave in which the motion of the medium is at right angles to the direction of the wave. |
| trough | Low point of a wave. |
| vibration | Movement that follows the same path over and over again. |
| wave | Traveling disturbance that carries energy from one place to another. |
| wavelength | Distance between two consecutive similar points on a wave. |
| reflection | The bouncing back of waves upon reaching another surface. |
| refraction | The bending of waves due to a change in speed. |
| diffraction | The bending of waves around the edge of an obstacle. |